July 02, 2009

Be Good

Maybe you have heard about the Metro train crash that took several lives last month. It just so happens that I was on the redline that day visiting downtown DC with my girls. We met up with my brother and his family and did the Lincoln Memorial and several other outdoor memorials. I was riding home at 5:00pm (around the same time as the crash), on the same track that had the incident. Fortunately I was unscathed. I was on the other side of the line, away from the crash site. It was probably the 2nd or 3rd time I have ridden the Metro in a year's time. Crazy!

That day while I was getting my fare ticket I noticed a couple who were trying to figure out this crazy system. Newbies! They were a young teenaged couple on a date to the zoo. Even though I was in the middle of talking to my brother on my cell phone, I asked if they needed assistance. I helped them figure out how much it would cost, how to purchase a ticket, and what to do if they got off at the wrong exit, etc. My good deed for the day.

Weirdly enough, I (the expert), had trouble when exiting that day. My card read that there wasn't enough money left on it. I think the trouble came in that I had two cards a stroller with a baby in it and a 6 year old in tow and it's confusing sometimes when you all walk through together on one card, thus making the balance uneven on both cards (You follow? Me neither).

It's a mystery but I think it also could have been when I went through turnstile that gave me access to an elevator that didn't work and so I had to put my card through an extra time when exiting. (Still confused? Me too).

Trying to explain this to the large intimidating Metro worker with an attitude wasn't pleasant. I am no shrinking violet myself and I was not going to let this man have his bossy way with me. He didn't seem willing or able to follow my explanation. My problem was that the machine wasn't taking my cash and I didn't expect to have to do this, so putting enough money on both cards was outside the limits of cash that I had on hand (2.15). He kept sending me back to the machines saying in an irritated voice "Try the other machine!" "How much is on that card? Now what about the other one? Here's what you're gonna do..." Every time I came back his back was turned and I would have to interrupt his boredom to inconveniently ask him for assistance. We finally got it worked out by going through all together on one card.

He didn't get a thank you from me.

Why is it that some people have a hard time being considerate and nice to others? What is this chip we have on our shoulders? What gives? We're all in this together right Wildcats?

On my way out to the parking lot I ran into that same cute couple at the end of their zoo visit. What are the odds of that? As he waited for her to drive the car around (she drove- how cute is that?) he called out to me "Hey!" I asked how is date went. "Great! A good day." She drove up and yielded to me as we cross-walk crossed in front of her. Her arms waved like Kermit the Frog at me. A little kindness goes a long way.

And if I ever see that unhelpful Metro man again, the most I will give him is a small head-jerk nod of a hello. So there!

6 comments:

I have been to DC once and I had a hard time figuring out the money/card thing. Coming from a rinkydink place where one set fee takes you as far as you want to go on, all that comfusing stuff was confusing me.But we still had fun in DC!!And yes, it is so nice when people HELP eachother instead of making others have more of a hard time!!!I remember one time, a lady came up to me outside a restaurant and said she couldn't find her family. She went for a drive, got off the highway at the wrong exit and then got lost. She only new they were at the beach. So, I guessed the place, she followed me in her car, to the beach (about a 10 minute drive away) where she was happily reunited with her worried family.

I've decided that everyone has a story. When people are rude I like to think something negative is going on their life. The great thing Kelly is that nice people can really stand out, like you did for that couple. There is nothing better than being a modern day good samaritan.

Kelly

I am a forty something and stay at home mother of 5 children. We are currently living in the DC area. I like to write not only to record the goings on in our household, but to express my thoughts and opinions. I like cooking, sewing reading, exercising, napping and eating good chocolate.

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